Carriage Exhibition

In the 18th and 19th century, horse-drawn carriages were a vital prop used for staging an aristocratic lifestyle in accordance with one’s noble rank. Likewise, the attention one paid to his “transport fleet” was in keeping with this. In aristocratic circles, persons were appraised by their carriages. It is hard to find a better testament to this than the witty remark indicating that, upon visiting a family of in-laws, a scrutinizing glance was to be cast to the riding stables and the carriage house, which gave more information about the status, class and style than the palace façade itself did…

Thus, it was a question of honor for Prince Alexis to have his sister-in-law, Queen Emma of Holland, driven in a magnificent landau carriage when he fetched her from the train station on her visits. In those days the carriages were kept in the Princely Stables, together with the horses.

Today the carriages are used only for weddings, most recently on 21 June 2007 on the occasion of the marriage of Prince Carl Ferdinand and Princess Elna Margret.